In the moments following a car accident many people experience shock and trauma, which can negatively influence critical decisions. Understanding what to do in the minutes and hours after an accident can help you save money and precious emotional and mental strength should an accident occur. One of the most common responses when speaking about an accident, and the aftermath, “is everything happened so fast” so the more prepared you are on the front end the better it will go.

Before the Accident Occurs

One of the easiest ways to keep calm during and immediately after an accident is to be prepared. A well-prepared driver will:

·Keep an auto-safety kit (including first aid supplies and some kind of hazard signal) inside the car

·Ensure all important documents are updated and kept together in an easily accessible place

·Have a camera in your car (yes, your phone counts which makes this one easy nowadays)

Additional information can be found on our website and any questions you have should be directed to one of our personal line specialists.

The First Five Minutes

Nothing is more important than your safety. First and foremost, give yourself a moment to breathe and assess any injuries, including those of your passengers. If the accident is minor and the car is still able to run, move as quickly as possible out of traffic and into a safe place. Unless injuries are severe, get out of your vehicle and call the police, even if the accident doesn’t seem serious. Set up any available hazard signals or portable traffic cones. Then, begin documenting the damage to your vehicle with your camera or phone.

Interacting with Other Drivers

It is important to gather information from the other driver(s) involved in the accident, but you also need to be careful about what you say. Never admit fault or apologize to the other driver. Information that is necessary to be gathered includes:

·Contact information (names, phone numbers, addresses)

·Insurance policy numbers/insurance companies

·License plate numbers

·As much information about the other vehicle as possible

You will also want to gather information from any police officer on the scene, including their names and badge numbers. You can also ask for a copy of the accident report.

Looking Forward After an Accident

After an accident you need to contact your insurance agency/company as soon as possible. At Bradenton Insurance, we have over 60 years of experience helping clients navigate the claim process, and we look forward to helping you if/when you ever find yourself in this position.